Biohazard Safety Cabinets
Biosafety Cabinets purpose is to provide a sterile
work environment along with protecting employees from
potentially infectious materials and human pathogens.
The main feature of the biosafety cabinet is that is filters
sterile air by a high efficiency particulate HEPA filter that
removes particulates from the air. The cabinet
recirculates 70% of the air through the HEPA filters and
exhausts 30% through the building exhaust system.
Biosafety cabinets will be recertified annually to ensure
the HEPA filter is working properly.
Safety Precautions when working in the Biosafety Cabinet
The following are safety precautions when working in a biosafety cabinet. Refer to the Principal
Investigator’s standard operating procedure for specific instructions and best management practices.
1. Turn on the biosafety cabinet and let run for about 15 minutes before work to allow the cabinet
to remove any particulates from the cabinet.
2. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
3. Disinfect with 70% ethanol or isopropanol. DO NOT USE BLEACH.
4. Do not block the front or rear grilles with papers, operational equipment, or any
loose clothing. This may cause air to enter the cabinet instead of being drawn
through the front grills and HEPA filter.
5. Work with sash at operating height 10”. An Alarm will sound if sash is opened
higher than 10”.
6. Work in Center of biosafety cabinet.
7. Wipe down all materials used in biosafety cabinet along with the interior cabinet surfaces after
an experiment is complete. Please remember. Do not use bleach.
8. Leave biosafety cabinet running about 5 minutes after an experiment is complete before turning
off.
9. Do not use open flames in the biosafety cabinet. It will create turbulence that will disrupt air
flow.
10. If liquids accidently get spilled in the bottom of the biosafety
cabinet. Instead of using rags and absorbents to clean up,
there is a drainage lever underneath the cabinet. Put bucket
underneath the drainage hole and turn the handle down to let
the liquids drain.
References:
www.nuaire.com
Revision Date: August 31, 2015